Lab Report: UV Protectors Sunscreens
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Points possible
Lab Notebook
Abstract
Absorbance plot
UV Spectra analysis
Dibenzalacetone isomer
comparison
Questions
Conclusions
A. ABSTRACT:
Points received
B. PLOT THE ABSORBANCE AT 312 NM VS. THE LOG10 (SPF).
1. Compare both sunscreen types (Coppertone vs Non-Brand) by plotting absorbance data versus Log
(SPF) and adding by hand a line of best fit for each data set. Label axes and use at least 1/2 of the
available graph space. Note which data belongs to which suncreen type in a key
2. Equation 1 page 26 suggests a linear relationship between absorbance and Log (SPF). Does your data
show this relationship for either sunscreen?
C. SPECTROSCOPIC ANALYSIS
1. Complete the table below from class data
Compound
Final
Molarity
(M)
2-Ethylhexyl-pcinnamate
2-Ethylhexyl-pcinnamate
2-Ethylhexyl salicylate
1.14 X10-5
2-Ethylhexyl salicylate
6.00X10-5
Oxybenzone
7.00 X10-5
Oxybenzone
3.50 X10-5
Octocrylene
7.00 X10-5
Absorbance
max (nm)
 (molar
extinction
coefficient)
2.28 X10-5
1.20 X10-4
2. Show a calculation of the molar extinction coefficient () using the Beer-Lambert
law and the UV data you obtained in lab.
D COMPARE 3 POSSIBLE DIBENZALACETONE STEREOISOMERS.
Complete the tables below. Using WebMO, determine the heats of formation and the relative
planarity of the isomers of dibenzalacetone.
O
Trans,trans isomer of
dibenzalacetone
Property
Heats of formation
(kJ/mol)
Relative stability based on Hf
(1 = most stable, 3=least)
Relative planarity of computer
structure (1 = most planar)
Cis-Cis
Cis-Trans
Trans-Trans
max, known values
287 nm
295 nm
330 nm
, known values
MP C (lit value)
11,000
<25
20,000
34,300
60-61 C
110-111C
E QUESTIONS
1. Electronic transitions between which orbitals are commonly involved in UV absorption?
2. When the absorption wavelength of the molecule increases, what happens to the energy
difference between the ground state and excited state orbitals involved in the absorption?
3. For the sunscreen compound 2-ethylhexyl salicylate which functional groups do you
think are responsible for absorbance of UV light? Explain your answer.
4. Should every compound have a unique molar extinction coefficient? Should the molar
extinction coefficient change if a solution is diluted?
5. Would you design a sunscreen with a molar extinction coefficient of 2.0x105 or 2.0x102
? Explain your answer
F. DISCUSSION
1. Using class UV data, can you make any conclusions about the efficacy of brand name
and non-brand sunscreen? Can you make any conclusions on which compound from the
Table on page 32 is the active ingredient in the NoAd or Coppertone suncreen? Support
your answers with data.
2. What trend do you observe in the known wavelength and the observed planarity in
computer calculated dibenzalacetone isomers? Can you offer an explanation for the
trend?